do the next thing...

This has become my mantra for the last week or so.  In the next three weeks we have 2 drama performances which also means 4 extra practices and 3 more costumes to make. We have our co-op family night.  We also have 2 eagle scout work days for Gabriel's project and Christian's graduation ceremony and party. Plus it's dewberry season.  oh, and laundry...I was informed this morning that some in my family will not have underclothes tomorrow????

So, as I've made my list and focus on breathing and doing the next thing without thinking about all the other equally important things that must be done or fun things that I want to do, I've come to the decision that I this space will be quite for the next three weeks.  I'm making myself ignore it.  I'll be posting our garden harvest in the side bar since this is where I keep the record but other than that "nada". 

When I come back I'll have some pictures...if I can find my camera... and I'll have some fun gardening updates.  I'm also going to do a sewing series similar to the Summer Sewing School that I did last summer. 

Have a great few weeks!

a bit of matching

When my big guys were little they wore a lot of matching clothes, especially to the zoo or other outing.  Most people thought I just wanted to be cute but it was really a survival technique.  If one of them were to get lost, I'd know exactly what he was wearing.  Now, they would riot if I asked them match.

But girls?  Girls are a different story.  My girls love to match.  However, it's almost impossible to find matching clothes in the toddlers and juniors sections of the store.  So when they ask if I can make matching dresses for Easter just a few days before Easter my mouth says "yes" even though my head wants to say "no"

Phoebe knew what she wanted and lucky for her Esther doesn't have much of a design opinion yet.  She wanted fabric that had lots of color at the bottom and gradually had less color towards the top.  done.  She wanted a long dress, almost to her ankles.  done.   She wanted an empire waist with a gathered bodice.  done and done.  She wanted shoulder straps not ties.  done.  And she wanted her favorite shades of blue.  Done!

It all came together with 2 1/3 yards of end of the bolt fabric we found at the fabric store.  I actually wasn't sure I could get two dresses out of it.  But we did.  Then we just used a modified pillowcase design and had them whipped up in just a few....days.   Actually the real hard part was finding sandles that are women's size 8 that are appropiate for a 12 year old young lady.

That Works for Me ebook review and giveaway

A few months ago I received an email from Kristen Welch of We Are That Family about an ebook that she and Jennifer De Groot were putting together.  It would list tips from her Works for Me Wednesday posts.  Over the summer I had shared our homeschooling rhythm one week.  Little did I know that that this very basic rhythm would be our lifeboat this year.  I was excited to be included in this book.

Over the weekend I got another email that the book is now available!  I spent a little time perusing the pages and let me just say that there are some really great tips in it.  There are 24 different categories with over 800 tips.  Some of the categories include home, schooling, gardening, crafts, marriage and family, holidays, being frugal and the list goes on.  I really like that for each tip there is a summary and then a link to take you to the full post. 

While all those tips are exciting, here's the most exciting part for me.  A portion of the ebook proceeds will be donated to Mercy House.  Mercy House is a home for pregnant girls in Nairobi, Kenya.  Over the last year or so we have become friends with a sweet family that moved here from Kenya.  She has heard of Mercy House and their work.  I cried when I read this post.  I didn't want to ask my friend if this was common, I wanted to pretend that this doesn't really happen.  That this poor girl's situation was rare.  But I know better, I don't need to ask, because I already know the answer.  While my sweet girls are surrounded by parents and brothers who love and protect them other sweet girls are surrounded by people who exploit them. 

While I think the tips are great and can help me as an American wife and mom be a better wife and mom.  The real value in this book for me is the generosity of Kristen and Jennifer and the work at The Mercy House.

You can Click here to visit wearethatfamily. and purchase the ebook (the 30% affiliate commission I receive will be donated to Mercy House) for $8.  You can use coupon code SAVE1 to get $1 off.

If you visit the That Works For Me website you can see a sample of the book and enter a drawing for a free house cleaning. 

I'm also giving away one copy.  All you have to do is leave a comment and let us know something that you do that makes your life easier OR tell us what ministry really tugs on your heart.  The drawing will take place on April 30th and the winner announced May 1st.

{this moment}

 A special moment from this week I want to remember. (Inspired by SouleMama)

Christian and Josiah before they went to pick up the girls they escorted to the
homeshool prom. So fun to see them all dressed up.

picking berries

One of the more fun surprises we've had since moving here is the discovery of our neighbors mulberry tree that over hangs on our property.  It's probably about 20 feet tall and full of berries.  Everyday someone or several someones are picking berries.

This is the new place that the ladder belongs.  Also in this picture is why I can't seem to get enough berries to actually cook with them.  As Gabriel picks Esther eats.

Coming in with the eggs, Esther's letting me know that they just got 1 berry.  We're still working on counting!

The hens have taken to relaxing in this bare spot near the tree.  Dirt baths and berries, what more could a girl want?

We also discovered a small mulberry tree on our property that is very close to the house.  We'll be moving it soon out into the yard so hopefully we'll have our own tree in years to come.

This post is linked to Tuesday Garden Party.

Josiah's Eagle Scout Court of Honor

On Saturday we held Josiah's Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Our troop leaves the planning for the Eagle Scout Court of Honor to the parent. I'm so very glad they do, that way the ceremony and celebration can be about what is important to the individual Scout and his parents. I really liked that Josiah chose to do his ceremony different than Christian's. He also chose to have his ceremony at the Hiller House which is where he did his project. Christian also did his project there and Gabriel will be doing his project there later this month.

His ceremony included the Scout Law and explaining the 12 points, calling out other Eagle Scouts, Eagle Scout oath, presenting the Eagle Awards including the Dad, Mom and mentor pins.  Almost all of our extended family was able to come so that made it especially meaningful. 

One of the things Carl and I decided a long time ago was that our boys would not be allowed to get their driver's licenses until they earned their Eagle Rank.  All of the boys are involved in scouts and we've seen too many boys who are so close to being Eagles only to lose momentum once they get their license.  In fact, Carl was one of those boys, he made his Eagle Rank just 10 days before his 18th birthday.  Of course, if one of our boys didn't want to be involved in scouts that would be okay, we'd just determine a different acheivement for them to reach. 

We are so very proud of Josiah for accomplishing this goal.  He has been very tenacious and focused in his work.  I think it says a lot about his character and the man he is becoming.

{bees}

This weekend Carl and Gabriel went and picked up some bees.  We have a friend who is a beekeeper and has let Gabriel help with extracting honey and most recenly re-queening some of his hives.  He has a few too many and so he so very graciously gave Gabriel a hive to start him out. 

Gabriel's been wanting bees for over a year.  He's been reading books such as Beekeeping For Dummies and The Back Yard Bee Keeper. 

We have so much to learn but are super excited.  I don't think we'll have any honey this year but we should next year.

If you have bees, are there any special tips you can give us?

This post is linked to Barn Hop.